The Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) Hosts “Carbon Certificates and the Economy of Love” Forum at Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development

The Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA), in collaboration with the Economy of Love initiative and Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, successfully co-hosted the “Carbon Certificates and the Economy of Love for Cultural, Environmental, Economic, and Social Development in Egypt” forum at Heliopolis University.

The event brought together government leaders, policymakers, academics, and sustainability practitioners to spotlight a pioneering model for using Carbon Certificates and the Economy of Love as practical tools to drive sustainable development and improve community livelihoods.

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Distinguished attendees included Dr. Mohamed Farid, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority; Major General Dr. Abdel Fattah Mohamed Serag, Governor of Sohag; Major General Hisham Abu El Nasr, Governor of Assiut; Major General Alaa Ibrahim Abdel Moaty, Governor of Kafr El Sheikh; and Mr. Hazem Mohamed Gouda El Deeb, Deputy Governor of Beheira.

The forum emphasized the benefits of transitioning to organic and biodynamic farming and making direct contributions to the voluntary carbon credit market. It served as a collaborative platform to discuss innovative approaches to enhancing lives from cultural, environmental, economic, and social perspectives.

A major highlight of the event was the celebration of the “Climate Heroes” farmers who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to carbon sequestration and sustainable biodynamic farming practices in line with the Economy of Love (EoL) standard. These farmers are central to initiatives like the “Greening the Desert” project, which seeks to transform arid lands into thriving ecosystems through sustainable agriculture.

Discussion sessions provided insights into the implementation of the Economy of Love standard and the application of Carbon Certificates to combat climate change while promoting fair trade, social equity, and biodynamic agriculture. Interactive sessions also introduced attendees to the processes of carbon certification, verification, and the broader economic and social benefits of carbon finance.

Helmy Abouleish, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Heliopolis University and CEO of SEKEM Group, stated:

“At SEKEM, we believe in a holistic approach to sustainability, balancing economy, ecology, culture, and social wellbeing. This forum reflects our belief that carbon credits and the Economy of Love are not only environmental tools but also pathways to community empowerment and systemic change.”

Justus Harm, Co-Executive Director of EBDA, added:
“Celebrating our farmers as Climate Heroes underscores the critical role of biodynamic farming in tackling climate change. Through the Economy of Love standard, we can recognize and reward farmers for their environmental stewardship while promoting resilience and local development.”

By advancing awareness of carbon finance and values-driven economic principles, the Economy of Love and EBDA continue to drive a future that combines ecosystem restoration with responsible and sustainable economic development.
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About SEKEM:
With the vision of promoting sustainable development in economy, ecology, society and culture, Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish founded the SEKEM Initiative in the Egyptian desert in 1977. The SEKEM group of companies produces, processes and markets organic and biodynamic food, textiles and herbal medicines in Egypt and on international markets. SEKEM is considered the Egyptian “organic pioneer” and was awarded the “Alternative Nobel Prize” in 2003. The SEKEM companies use parts of their profits to finance the activities of the SEKEM Development Foundation (SDF), which runs among others schools and a medical centre. In 2012, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development was established as part of the SEKEM Initiative. The university was founded with the aim of pioneering the introduction of sustainable development concepts and principles to its students and the broader Egyptian community.
www.sekem.com
©2025 SEKEM. All rights reserved

About Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development:
In 2012, Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development was established as part of the SEKEM Initiative. The university was founded with the aim of pioneering the introduction of sustainable development concepts and principles to its students and the broader Egyptian community. The university has joined over 800 prestigious universities globally by signing the Magna Charta Universitatum and is recognized as a partner of the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development in Cairo. In the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2024, it was included for its contributions to Sustainable Development Goals, while also ranking 50th among Egyptian institutions in the Webometrics Ranking for citations as of July 2024.
https://www.hu.edu.eg/
©2025 Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development. All rights reserved

About the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA):
Founded 30 years ago, the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) is an independent association that developed the “Economy of Love” (EoL) standard, highly inspired by the SEKEM vision. The EBDA is focused on scaling biodynamic agriculture, promoting a holistic transformation of farming communities. Through the “Economy of Love” Standard, the EBDA is enabling farmers to transition from conventional to a more profitable biodynamic, regenerative farming model while supporting community development. To date, it has supported over 15,000 farmers and converted over 47,000 acres of land.
https://ebda.earth | www.economyoflove.net
©️2025 Egyptian Biodynamic Association. All rights reserved.